Al Jazeera HD, currently only distributed in the UK via Freeview channel 108 in some areas, as well as online, has been expanding its reach across Europe, with the HD service launching via Eutelsat Hot Bird and Astra 1 to reach satellite homes in most of continental Europe.

The HD roll-out follows a deal between the Doha-based broadcaster and UK broadcast infrastructure company Arqiva earlier this year, which promised to improve picture quality for Al Jazeera viewers around the world.

Sky and Freesat have, as yet, remained quiet over whether Al Jazeera HD will launch on their platforms, but have a track record of not confirming or denying new channels until after they have been added to their services.

The test transmissions for Al Jazeera English in HD can be seen using the following parameters for viewers using the Astra 2 satellite cluster @ 28.2-5 degrees East: